Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 8/7

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 200-56-37-32 / $288.70 (-$111.30)
BEST BETS: 15-7-4-2 / $29.00 (-$1.00)
BEST BET: SOUTHWIND TYRION (12th)
SPOT PLAY: ETRA DE VIE (7th)

Race 1: Amateur Drivers-Non-winners $7,000 in last 5 - $40K GTD Pick 5

(4) CHIEF JUSTICE has been stuck in bad posts lately and actually raced very well last time despite the nine-hole. He draws into a good spot here and should have a big chance. (2) TOUGH MAC comes off a good try and has a bit of early speed in a field that lacks that quality; using. (3) LASA DIDA LADY is certainly down in class but lacks recent form; mixed feelings.

Race 2: Garden State 2YO Filly Trot

(8) HELLO I LOVE YOU rolled to the easiest of wins with hobbles added. This is a big step up in terms of competition, but I'm willing to stick with her as long as she isn't the chalk. (4) BEAUTIFUL GAME made an uncharacteristic break last time but looks good otherwise. (6) CHABLIS also was racing well before her most recent start; another chance?

Race 3: Amateur Drivers-Non-winners $7,000 in last 5

(1) FASHIONWOODCHOPPER has been in some decent fields of late. He picks up a top amateur tonight and should race well. (4) WINGS UP moves into a good barn and is eligible to improve. (7) EVERYONE’S TALKIN has early speed and you know than Marohn will be using it.

Race 4: Garden State 2YO Filly Trot - Pick 6

(5) PRESTO was a solid third versus better last time and won her debut impressively. She looks like the clear horse to beat at odds-on. (1) A PERFECT DUTCHESS wasn't bad last time and the two fillies that beat her were the good-looking Lady Chaos and potential Jim Doherty favorite Darlene Hanover; worth using on some tickets. (7) KIMBERLY LYNN DEO added hobbles and improved greatly; hmmm.

Race 5: Amateur Drivers-Non-winners $7,000 in last 5

(2) SUMATRA moves up in company in some respects but does have the back-class to play with these when on his game. Last week he took a shot first-over and tired. I expect speed tonight. (8) MUSCLE DIAMOND laid a big egg as the 4-5 chalk a week ago. Maybe softer fractions this week will have him more interested. (1) HILL OF A HORSE finished just ahead of #8 last time and goes out for a good amateur. (10) DAYSON is the classiest horse in the field, but he seems to have lost a step and Melissa Arbia hasn’t been overly aggressive in the starts I've seen, which presents a problem from post 10.

Race 6: Continental Victory 3YO Filly Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) MS SAVANNAH BELLE added Lasix last time and was a solid second behind Hambletonian finalist Sister Sledge. If not for the medication, maybe she would be in the Oaks, which doesn't allow for Lasix. (1) DUBAI PRINCESS finished just behind the top pick last time. (5) DUNE HILL woke up in a big way at The Meadows. Can she do it again?

Race 7: Non-winners 2 races or $20,000 life

(5) ETRA DE VIE has had some bad luck lately. Two starts back she made a break into the first turn at Saratoga and last time she left well and jumped when another foe alongside did the nasty first. This looks like a great spot. (6) ITERATION looks like she could be the most talented in the field, but she hasn't started in more than four weeks. (1) SWEEPING RAINBOW had no shot from post 10 in her career debut and deserves some consideration here. (10) BRAVADO FASHION showed a bit of ability in his latest qualifier.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5/$30,000 Clm

(8) IF NOT WHY NOT comes down from Vernon in great form and he's won here in the past. (3) SWEET CHAPTER finally gets a decent post to work with and might not have to work as hard in the early part of the mile. (6) HASHTAGMADEYALOOK has early speed and form. (5) CHIPLOSIVE is a capable horse if given the right trip.

Race 9: Non-winners 2 races or $20,500 life

This field has some serious 2-year-old talent led by (2) ABUCKABETT HANOVER, who raced very well behind #6 in his career debut despite post 8. With the better draw and a start in hand, we should see what this son of Betting Line has to offer. (7) CAVIART LOTUS is another Betting Line that really impressed me in his qualifiers. This guy could be anything. (6) PERFECT STING has a royal set of parents and has done nothing wrong thus far.

Race 10: Muscle Hill 3YO Colt Trot - $40K GTD Pick 4

(7) PLAY TRIX FOR ME has been playing second fiddle to Hambletonian horses lately. This is his race to lose. (5) HILLEXOTIC is lightly raced but has a decent late kick and that should serve him well here. (9) DD'S REDEMPTION has good early speed and raced well in his lone start with Dunn in the bike.

Race 11: Non-winners 4/7 races or $50,000/$75,000 life

(1) REIGN OF HONOR reunites with Miller this week and should be very aggressive from the cones. (3) KINGS COUNTY showed some improvement in the Graduate series. There is ability here. (8) THUNDER finally returns to the races after a long time on the shelf. His qualifiers were decent but he might need a race.

Race 12: Garden State 2YO Colt Trot

(1) SOUTHWIND TYRION looks like the real deal and doesn't face very much in this stake. Take the 3-5 and be happy if you can get it. (4) TOPOFTHEHILL S could be a player if he gets past the start without issue. (8) CALLE PALEMA has done ok thus far but lacks early speed; Gingras drives.

Race 13: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5/TM Rating 83 or less

(5) LOVE THE BLUES N woke up in a big way last time but had to settle for second; narrow edge. (3) HOT DEUCE drops a level this week and should be a player. (4) DECISION DAY is racing well but can't seem to get over the hump. (6) SALTY ROBYN N comes off a throw-out mile. He won 20 of 61 starts in Australia and seems like a fit here, but the four weeks off is concerning. (1) WHITTAKER N stepped up in class and raced well; contender on best.